Advocacy Update ~ March 30, 2020

March 30, 2020

Last week, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act into law. This massive bill includes many domestic provisions as well as:

  • $4.3 billion for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
    • $500 million for Global Disease Detection and Emergency Response work;
    • $300 million for the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Fund (IDRRF);
    • $706 million for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
  • $353 million for USAID;
    • $95 million for operating expenses;
    • $258 million for International Disaster Assistance;
  • $415 million for the Department of Defense Health Program, for R&D is available until September 30, 2021.

Congress passes the CARES Act, for COVID-19 relief

GHC is pleased to see that lawmakers recognize the need for a global response to this pandemic. We are eager to continue working with our network and with policymakers in Congress and the Trump Administration to continue to respond to this pandemic at home and abroad. Discussions around a potential fourth supplemental funding bill are in a nascent stage. GHC and its network are readily engaging with policymakers to discuss needs not already addressed by a previous supplemental.

Last week, Congress passed legislation to provide more than $2 trillion in aid as part of the federal government’s ongoing COVID-19 response. This unprecedented level of funding is focused largely on domestic needs, but does include $500 million for the CDC’s Global Disease Detection and Response work; an additional $300 million for the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Fund; and $258 million for USAID’s International Disaster Assistance work. 

GHC’s President & Executive Director will continue to connect with policymakers and the media to discuss the need for pandemic preparedness and a global response. Read more about our work in Devex. Read more about our Global Health Security Roundtable’s letter to appropriators here.

 

This post was written by Rebecca Daedalus, Advocacy & Community Partnerships Coordinator.